Once again a senseless and tragic murder spree in a public high school has left death and terror in its wake. Seventeen young lives were brutally snuffed out, many more were injured or severely traumatized and hundreds of people are no mourning loved ones.
No words can ever explain or do justice to this tragedy and the painful thought of all these parents who sent their kids off to school only to never be able to give them another hug, is just unfathomable.
My colleagues down in Parkland have lost teens who were involved in their Chabad Centers and have spent the last two days trying to give some kind of moral support to the hundreds of teens and their family members who attend that school. Six of the victims were members of the Jewish community and it has torn a gaping hole in the hearts of the entire community which has come together to be as supportive as possible.
There are so many questions unanswered as to why this happened and why such evil was able to be perpetrated. I pray and hope that everyone who has the ability to make a difference going forward, will be able to work together to ensure that no parent should ever have to be worried about what could happen to their kid in school, or that a mass murder could take place anywhere, no less a school. There are real issues that need to be looked at as this incident is reviewed, so that G-d forbid we do not keep having the same conversation every few weeks.
The Jewish response to such terror, has always been to fight back with goodness and light. It is true that it may not seem like we are really making a difference, but on a spiritual sense we are making a huge difference. Additionally, when you add the ripple effect, our good deeds to others and efforts to make the world a better place, make an impact not only in our own environment but far beyond us. Our dedication to this kind of response, can be the least we can do in memory of the 17 lives that were snuffed out.
The above should obviously be in addition to a goal oriented conversation regarding the many issues that need to be explored in the wake of this. This includes things like who has access to such powerful guns, how mental health care might help out, how were the warning signs missed, is the way forward really going to have to be that public schools will need to have metal detectors, and perhaps most importantly what can be done on the values part of this conversation to instill a greater respect for sanctity of human life, realizing our individual and collective purpose in this world, respect and care for others, and being mindful that we are all made in the image of G-d and should try to live a life that reflects that.
Obviously, evil is not going away so fast, but perhaps we can do more to build a society that cares even more for others, where less people slip through the cracks, where youth are taught from a young age, about living for a higher purpose, and where the goals of furthering goodness and kindness become innate to our identity and goals.
The lives that were lost cannot be brought back, but let’s resolve to do more goodness and kindness in their memory and deepen our resolve to make the world a better and truly brighter place.
Candle Lighting in Sudbury today is at 5:01pm, and it is a great opportunity to bring some additional spiritual light into the world as well as reflect on how we can do more. It is also a good time to stand with your children and give them a hug and tell them you love them if they are nearby or say a prayer for them as well as everyone else if they are not close by.
Good Shabbos & Shabbat Shalom!